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Pacific Pests & Pathogens - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Cocoa horsehair blight (005)

Photo 1. Horse hair blight, Marasmius crinis-equi, growing over branches and leaves.

Photo 2. Black threads of horse hair blight, Marasmius crinis-equi, growing along a branch and then from the branch over the surface of a leaf.

Photo 3. Old leaves of cocoa held in place by threads of horse hair blight, Marasmius crinis-equi, giving the impression that they have been killed by the fungus.

Photo 4. Old leaves of cocoa held together by threads of horse hair blight, Marasmius crinis-equi.

Summary

Widespread distribution. Asia, tropical America, Oceania. On cocoa, tea, mango and black pepper. The fungus does not cause a disease.
Thin, dark threads grow over the leaves and branches, without infecting them. The leaves die naturally, but are held in place by the threads, making it look as if they have killed them.
Cultural control: none required on cocoa, although it is uncertain if the fungus is a pathogen of other crops.
Chemical control: none required.

Common Name

Horsehair blight

Scientific Name

Marasmius crinis-equi; also Marasmius equicrinis.

AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests and Pathogens

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